Call the Midwife, Series Five (2015)

May 25, 2016

to Read
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Words)

Every time I sit down to watch a new season of BBC’s Call the Midwife, I underestimate the
sway it holds. By now I should have long since learned excellence is commonplace.
There hasn’t been a time I didn’t sit in awe of what a beautiful and poignant
series this is, and yet with each new season, I’m reminded anew at depth and
strength of its emotional impact.

Christmas is again upon Poplar. But there are strict rules and traditions the
midwives and nuns of Nannatus House must observe. This means there will be no
tree put up until a week immediately preceding Christmas. Already ill, this
upsets Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt), who wanders off leaving Sister Evangelina (Pam Ferris)
and Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) sick with worry. Elsewhere, the midwives
are all busy with patients and new pursuits. Patsy (Emerald Ferrell) is still
working through heartbreak, but has a patient expecting twins, which keeps her
and Sister Mary Cynthia (Bryony Hannah) occupied.

Meanwhile Shelagh
(Laura Main) is busy organizing a Christmas program that Dr. Turner (Stephen
McGann) has learned the BBC plans to film for television! Naturally, this
causes quite a flurry of anticipation and excitement in the small village.
Trixie (Helen George) and Barbara (Charlotte Ritchie) meet with rocky territory
when, slowly, a friendship develops between Barbara and the pastor, Tom (Jack Ashton), who
happens to be Trixie’s ex-fiancé.

There are so many
beautiful moving parts of this series. Not the least of which is its two best
assets. The writing (scripting is from frequent BBC talent, Heidi Thomas) and
the characters, and by proxy, the actors who portray them with such class and
finesse. Heidi Thomas never ceases to amaze me with the scripts she brings full
circle week after week. Series five as a whole unit is no different. There are
so many connected events and nuances that skipping one episode is something of
an impossibility. There’s something about this show, quiet though it is, that
keeps us glued to our television the many weeks it airs.

The nuances the
players give their characters, and by equal turn, the journey’s everyone goes on this
season is beyond beautiful. I was, and still am, in awe of the way these
characters arcs play out. From the challenge facing Dr. Turner (professionally),
and a heartbreaking misfortunate befalling Sister Mary Cynthia to the cute
albeit bittersweet story Nurse Phyllis Crane experiences, everyone is given a chance to
shine even if only for one episode. Then there are my two favorite stories (if
it’s even legit possible to choose when it comes to this show) are the darling
romantics between Tom and Barbara, and Trixie’s journey. The former gives us
many a lovely “romantic moment” (not to mention these two are perhaps better
suited than Tom and Trixie?) and the latter is a cathartic experience, both for the audience, and more
importantly, Trixie.

Seeing Trixie
spiral so far out of her depth in series four was heartbreak. Watching as she
grew into a stronger person because of her weakness was lovely. She has earned
so much respect. When this season begins, we’re immediately pulled into so many
of these stories, one of which being babies being born with deformities. It’s
these cases that tug on our heartstrings most.

From beginning to
end, series five is beautiful. There’s nothing about this series I can think to change.
It’s evolved and became next to impossible to nitpick or criticize. It’s real
(with the understanding some sense of creative license has been taken), gritty
and well portrayed. Series five may indeed be the best season yet, and given
how brilliant the earlier seasons are, that’s a high mountain for series
creator and the writers to climb. Yet they do, and it all cumulates with tears,
and a memorable season of joy.

CONTENT: Some pregnancies are the result of out of wedlock relationships, and there is an episode that deals with the contraceptive pill being introduced. A man brutally beats up numerous women (off camera); prostitutes are involved in some cases. Every episode involves a scene of childbirth, some more intense than others. There are plenty of thematic, more "mature" themes presented throughout.

I love this show. I accidentally missed an episode several weeks back, though, so now I'm 3 episodes behind and won't be able to finish this season until I can get it on DVD through Netflix. But as far as BBC shows go, I think it's sadly underrated!

This show is absolutely beautiful, Kristin. I just wish it'd go on and on. Trixie's story this season has been amazing as has everything. Heidi Thomas is one talented lady. So glad you enjoyed this one too - and let me know what you think when you finish it. :)

Thanks so much, Rel! I really appreciate YOU stopping by, friend. :) I do too. Chummy was (is) such a bright spot on this show. I was glad Peter popped up now and again and am anticipating the return of Chummy for the next season.

Yes! This series was so good although I did miss Chummy, I felt like it was an important series of installments to this series as a bigger picture. Hope you enjoy the rest of series four and whenever you have the chance, series five. :)

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